1980 EFM 520 Worm/Auger Is Jammed
Thanks to everyone for their input. Unfortunately, time did not permit me to pull this thing apart before I had to get back home (2 hours away) with my family. The decision was made to add the oil gun to the unit to switch over to oil so my mom does not have to deal with the ashes going forward. The local heating company will be out in a week or so to do the conversion work so they will ultimately service and rectify the situation. I will update the group when I find out what was causing the jam. This a great forum. All the best to everyone.
- Richard S.
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- Location: NEPA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Van Wert VA1200
- Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat/Anthracite
You're buying the gun or already have it? The cost of the oil is going to be a lot compared to the coal. As far as I know it's not very efficient with the oil, certainly not compared to regular oil burner. That's more of a convenience thing so you can switch it to oil if you were going on vacation for a week.
If she is an area with gas it might be the time to consider moving to a new gas boiler, in a few years it will pay for itself over the cost of oil.
That coal boiler can be sold and has a lot of value, even if it's 40+ years old. How much depends on the condition, if it's in good condition it's not pocket change..
If she is an area with gas it might be the time to consider moving to a new gas boiler, in a few years it will pay for itself over the cost of oil.
That coal boiler can be sold and has a lot of value, even if it's 40+ years old. How much depends on the condition, if it's in good condition it's not pocket change..
- Rob R.
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- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
If you don't intend to burn coal again I would consider replacing the entire boiler. A brand new oil boiler isn't much more than the cost of the EFM oil kit for the 520, and noticeably more efficient.
Natural gas is not available. The intent is to still be able to burn coal. The gun is about 1/2 the cost of a new oil burner. Will not be the most efficient way to go, but she will probably not stay in the house too long. It solves the problem of dealing with ashes and I think the coal stoker will be seen as a value add to the next owner when sold. Thanks
- Richard S.
- Mayor
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- Joined: Fri. Oct. 01, 2004 8:35 pm
- Location: NEPA
- Stoker Coal Boiler: Van Wert VA1200
- Coal Size/Type: Buckwheat/Anthracite
If someone from here was buying the house they would and if they were smart they would use it to negotiate the sale price down. Unfortunately most people are not aware of the benefits of coal and they are going to have no clue how easy it is to operate an efm stoker. In their mind when they read coal on the listing they are going to envision the guy on the titanic shoveling coal into a boiler. In addition to that the Realtors generally have no clue. Overall it's not a selling point for a house but it should be in particular since natural gas is not available.Gman wrote: I think the coal stoker will be seen as a value add to the next owner when sold. Thanks
If you are going to put the oil gun in I guess you can partly avoid that but the next issue is if the boiler is 30 or 40 years old, that is way beyond the life of most boilers.
If/when you list it be sure to note a fuel price comparison. Don't list it as just coal but something like "Thermostatically controlled automatic coal stoker boiler". I would even include a picture of it so it's clear it's not much different than any other heating unit.
Good Luck.
Update: The heating company came out today to do some prep work for the oil tank. There was no rock jamming the worm it was rust and corrosion build up. What is the useful life of this boiler? My grandfather finally converted to oil this summer and his EFM was from the 1960's.
Hello
I am new to here and I was wondering if I can get some assistance with my EFM DF520. The auto feed will not turn. It will turn for about 3 mins then stop.
We have tried different things like removing the auger, we manually feed the rice coal. But something is not connecting. It will not allow to auto feed To continuously pull the coal to continue to burn.
I am new to here and I was wondering if I can get some assistance with my EFM DF520. The auto feed will not turn. It will turn for about 3 mins then stop.
We have tried different things like removing the auger, we manually feed the rice coal. But something is not connecting. It will not allow to auto feed To continuously pull the coal to continue to burn.
- Rob R.
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 18004
- Joined: Fri. Dec. 28, 2007 4:26 pm
- Location: Chazy, NY
- Stoker Coal Boiler: EFM 520
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Chubby Jr
Welcome. I would start with some basic troubleshooting. Make sure the motor is getting power. If not, there is probably something wrong with you aquastat/wiring. If the motor is getting power and not turning, the motor likely has an issue.Jws2017 wrote: ↑Mon. Mar. 23, 2020 9:46 pmHello
I am new to here and I was wondering if I can get some assistance with my EFM DF520. The auto feed will not turn. It will turn for about 3 mins then stop.
We have tried different things like removing the auger, we manually feed the rice coal. But something is not connecting. It will not allow to auto feed To continuously pull the coal to continue to burn.
- McGiever
- Member
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- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
- Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
- Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar
If the motor always turns when it should and the auger still stops at intermits then look to replace the broken shear-pin.
-
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- Location: NY Columbia County
- Stoker Coal Boiler: 1982 efm df520
- Coal Size/Type: Cornwall rice
- Other Heating: VC winterwarm wood
In my system there is a second aquastat that shuts off on low temp such as an out fire. I have to overide it to begin stoker operation at cold startup. Keep us posted, good luck. Gary
Hello, where can I find these pins to change them to try and route out the cause. I would like to try and change the pin to see if this could be the issue. Can you please direct me On how to find the aquastat?
- McGiever
- Member
- Posts: 10130
- Joined: Sun. May. 02, 2010 11:26 pm
- Location: Junction of PA-OH-WV
- Stoker Coal Boiler: AXEMAN-ANDERSON 130 "1959"
- Hand Fed Coal Boiler: BUCKET A DAY water heater
- Hand Fed Coal Stove: Warm Morning 414A
- Coal Size/Type: PEA,NUT,STOVE /ANTHRACITE
- Other Heating: Ground Source Heat Pump and some Solar
And what were the results from these steps?
Post by StokerDon - Another efm 520 family member
Then you can proceed to here: At about 1:40 into the YouTube video is what you want to focus on...
Post by StokerDon - Another efm 520 family member
Hello,
I am looking where to fin the pin to replace.
Rob R, that is correct the motor turns and the sticker, however we cleaned the auger to make sure there is nothing blocking. It will move as if it is pulling the coal then it will stop and the motor and sticker will still run
I am looking where to fin the pin to replace.
Rob R, that is correct the motor turns and the sticker, however we cleaned the auger to make sure there is nothing blocking. It will move as if it is pulling the coal then it will stop and the motor and sticker will still run